12.7 billion CFA francs to approach food security in 2015
The Project development and agricultural investment in Gabon (Prodiag) that began in 2011 is expected to be completed in 2015. At that time, the balance of efforts should enlighten the public on the state of food security in Gabon.
The Director General of the Gabonese Development Support Institute (IGAD), Christian Renardet, revealed that the Prodiag can help producers to invest and develop their production with the first effort to develop the informal farming sector.
The project covers the most dynamic departments in the nine provinces of the country, and aims to strengthen the capacities of private actors and associations of selected priority sectors, to take ownership of their sustainable development.
The budget of 12.7 billion CFA francs will be divided by component, as shown below: Project Management Unit (18%), Support Component advice for producers (54%), the professional component structure (9%), agricultural training (FPA) component 6%, research componen (RA) 5%, and food processing component (TAA) (7%). Prodiag the project is funded at 79% through a contract with the French Development Agency (AFD) and the Gabonese government which owns 21% of resources.
IGAD is one of the instruments relied on by the Gabonese government to lead its agricultural policy. The Gabon currently produces nearly 70% of its vegetables, albeit with some variations. Its objective is to contribute significantly to improving food security, reducing poverty and improving the share of agriculture in gross domestic product (GDP).
The local vegetable production is sold in supermarkets in the capital Libreville, while initially vegetables came by plane from France, Cameroon etc. Populations in precarious situations opt for gardening which still requires the willingness and ability of organization and management.